₦airaland Forum

By Timileyin Akinmoyeje


On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu announced a fresh round of appointments to key positions in federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The list includes postings to the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Nigerian Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced Tinubu’s decision on Saturday. However, some of the newly appointed officials have long-standing corruption allegations and unresolved legal issues. FIJ reviewed some of these names.


Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya: From Streetlight Scandal to NALDA Chair

Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, the newly appointed chairman of NALDA, is a serving senator representing Katsina State. He was recently linked to the diversion of a solar-powered streetlight project.

FIJ reported that the streetlights meant for his senatorial district were instead installed at his private residence. The project, tracked by civic group Tracka, was funded with N97 million from the 2023 federal budget through the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

There has been no public accounting for the project, and Barkiya has not responded to the accusations.


Ibrahim Shehu Shema

Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former governor of Katsina State, has been named chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority, one agency overseeing land use and infrastructure development in the country.

Shema has been at the centre of two major corruption cases. In 2017, he was arraigned in court by the Katsina State government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly embezzling N11 billion.

That case was discontinued in 2023 after the state filed a nolle prosequi, ending the prosecution without a court verdict.

In a separate matter, the EFCC charged Shema with misappropriating N5.7 billion under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). Although he contested the court’s jurisdiction, both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court ruled against him.

The most recent public update on the case was its adjournment in February 2020.


Anyim Pius Anyim

Among the most prominent names on the list is Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President. Anyim, who was also Secretary to the Government of the Federation once, has been appointed chair of the National Merit Awards Committee.

His career has long been trailed by corruption allegations. In 2015, a House of Representatives report described the Centenary City project, which Anyim supervised, as a “complete fraud” and recommended criminal investigations.

He was also questioned by the EFCC about N520 million allegedly received from Sambo Dasuki’s office before the 2015 elections.

In 2021, Anyim was detained during probes into mismanaged aviation funds totalling N780 million. None of these investigations led to formal charges.

Over the years, he has been linked to cases involving missing ecological funds, inflated contracts and questionable asset declarations. Still, none resulted in conviction or legal closure.

His reappointment comes shortly after his 2024 defection to the APC.

SmartPolician:
I have come to the conclusion that you can never be rich in this Nigeria without getting your hands dirty....unless you came from a privileged family where your family has already done all your work.

Agbegbaorogboye:
When the head is corrupt, the body stinks
No big deal here